Iowa's Mika'il McCall (25) takes a hit from Tennessee Tech's Will Johnson (4) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/The Gazette, Liz Martin)

IOWA CITY -- The most notable true freshman to make his debut Saturday won't be seen again until 2012.

After showing live legs and power with 61 yards on nine carries, running back Mika'il McCall suffered a broken right ankle in Iowa's 34-7 victory and is out for the season.

McCall was in the plans all along. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said the 6-foot, 226-pounder was headed into the game on the third series. He went in on the second series after starter Marcus Coker fumbled for the second time in as many series.

McCall was in the plans and then he was out.

"Hopefully, we can find some help for Marcus," Ferentz said. "I thought we had it with Mika'il, but that's football."

True freshman running back Damon Bullock lined up as a receiver and dropped a pass, one of six Iowa dropped. He's on the clock with his eligibility. Ferentz said the running back depth chart will be on the forefront for the next 48 hours.

Including Coker's two fumbles, Iowa running backs coughed up three. All involved refused to blame the afternoon full of downpours.

"End of the day, that's going to get us beat," Ferentz said.

With the two true freshmen running backs, seven true freshman played their first game Saturday.

Wide receiver Marcus Grant, cornerback Jordan Lomax and safety Nico Law played from the line of scrimmage. Grant caught a pass for 12 yards.

Tight end Ray Hamilton and linebacker Marcus Collins played on the kick return team. Collins also was on kick coverage.

Last season, nine true freshmen played in their first season on campus, including Coker, middle linebacker James Morris and kicker Mike Meyer. In 2009, a team that finished 11-2 with an Orange Bowl victory, just three true frosh played. In 2000, 2003 and 2008, seven true freshmen saw action.